Empowering Educators to Improve Social Emotional Behaviors Among K-8 Students: Quality Improvement Project

Social and emotional learning (SEL) encompasses essential skills for effectively managing and expressing emotions. Studies have shown that SEL strengthens early education while supporting students' lifelong success by fostering positive behaviors within and beyond the classroom. In school settings, occupational therapists (OTs) aim to empower children to thrive as students and as social beings through targeted interventions and educational support for parents and teachers. In private school settings, limited access to occupational therapy services may impact teachers' ability to implement SEL strategies effectively.This capstone project addressed gaps in teachers' knowledge and confidence in applying the Zones of Regulation SEL curriculum at Cornerstone Christian Academy & Tykes Preschool (CCA) in Las Vegas, Nevada. Quality Assurance Questionnaires were administered to K-8 teachers to assess their competence, confidence, and consistency in implementing the Zones of Regulation program. Through an occupational therapy perspective, the quality improvement project integrated teacher education sessions with collaborative consultation and classroom-based interventions. Educators who received targeted support demonstrated meaningful improvement in SEL curriculum usage which revealed how interprofessional collaboration strengthens instructional confidence and SEL curriculum delivery.